The JAPAN FILM WEEK, the spin-off of our annual, well-loved Japanese Film Festival, is back… ONLINE this JULY!
In celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, the Japan Foundation, Manila, in partnership with Solar Pictures, Inc., Sinag Maynila and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, is launching an online edition of the Japan Film Week for the first time, featuring 6 unique Japanese films on July 22-26, 2020 following the successful run of Japan Film Week screenings in 2019.
A spin-off of the annual Japanese Film Festival, the Japan Film Week aims to provide varied content to Filipino audiences nationwide who wish to expand their knowledge on Japanese arts, culture, and language.
A roster of Japanese animation, documentary, drama and feature films will be screened for FREE which includes:
Bittersweet (Nigakute amai) is the live-action adaptation of Kobayashi Yumio’s romance about a straight woman who doesn’t like vegetables falling in love with a gay vegetarian. The vegetable dishes meticulously presented in every volume which are incorporated into the visuals.
The Takatsu River (Takatsugawa) is a film drama that portrays various people living along the river basin of Shimane Prefeture’s Takatsu River, a government-protected river, burdened by decreasing population as they carry on the tradition of “Kagura” Shinto music and dance which is said to be the roots of Kabuki.
Chieri and Cherry (Chieri and Cherry) is an animation film that deals with the emotional growth of a young girl who confronts the importance of life and sets out toward a new future.
From All Corners (Tabisuru danboru) is a feature-length documentary about “cardboard artist” Shimazu Fuyuki who creates wallets from cardboard boxes discarded on the street. From there he designs and adds functionality to the cardboard wallets he creates.
Hana’s Miso Soup (Hanachan no misoshiru) is a film adaptation of the identically titled essay recording of Yasutake Chie’s fight with cancer as well as the daily life of her husband and daughter.
What’s for Dinner, Mom? (Mama gohan mada?) is a feature drama film based on Hitoto Tae’s essay about sisters born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother who reaffirm their familial bonds through the recipes left behind by their deceased mother.
This online film screening is on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis, subject to limited slot availability. Viewers may access the films through the following link: https://bit.ly/Japan_Film_Week, after registering a free Vimeo account using the provided access code. FREE ACCESS LINK will be made available on the day of the screening. Film line-up can only be accessed from the Philippines. Screenings are subject to change without prior notice.
| RELEARSE DATE & TIME | FILM TITLE | |
| July 22, Wednesday |
Starting 9:00 am |
From All Corners |
| July 22, Wednesday | Hana’s Miso Soup | |
| July 23, Thursday | What’s for Dinner, Mom? | |
| July 24, Friday | Bittersweet | |
| July 25, Saturday | Chieri & Cherry | |
| July 25, Saturday | The Takatsu River | |
*** All films except From All Corners and Hana’s Miso Soup are available for limited screenings only, from 9AM of date of release until film has reached maximum number of viewings or until July 26 (11:59PM), whichever comes first.
HOW TO ACCESS?
1. SIGN UP for a FREE account at https://vimeo.com/
2. GO to this URL: https://bit.ly/Japan_Film_Week
3. CLICK TITLE of your choice (*the film’s TITLE TEXT should turn BLUE)
4. A new window will open, with more information about the film
5. Click “Rent”, then “Apply promo code”, and type JapanFilmWeek
6. Click “Apply”, then “Continue”, then “Watch Now”
7. ENJOY!
For inquiries: email@jfmo.org.ph
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